Title: Transport of Nucleotides, Oligonucleotides, and Polynucleotides into the Cytoplasm and Nucleus of the Cell
Number: 7,109,173
Filed: Feb. 7, 2005
Lead Inventor: Wilbert Gamble, Oregon State University
“The invention discloses the discovery of naturally occurring peptides that contain fatty acyl and prenyl moieties which permit the transfer of nucleotides, oligonucleotides, and polynucleotides into the cytoplasm and nucleus of cells,” the patent’s abstract states. “Their intrinsic properties cause them to tightly bind to nucleotides. This indicates that they might serve as nucleotide transporters. Experiments demonstrated that they permitted the transfer of nucleotides and polynucleotides into the cytoplasm and nucleus of cells,” it adds.
“The peptides, due to their ability to transport ribonucleic acids into cells, can be employed in gene silencing by RNAi and antisense therapy,” the abstract notes. “Among the ailments thought to benefit are: atherosclerosis by regulating cholesterol metabolism, cancer and similar diseases by delivering nucleic acids in chemotherapy. The peptides, due to their ability to transport ribonucleic acids into cells, can be employed in gene silencing.”
Title: Induction of RNA Interference by Aberrant RNA
Number: 20060205078
Filed: Dec. 14, 2005
Lead Inventor: Demian Obregon, University of South Florida College of Medicine
The patent application, its abstract states, covers a “method … for the induction of aberrant RNA interference by introducing aberrant RNAs into the cell wherein a long-stranded antisense or sense RNA is simultaneously introduced with a short 4- [to] 12-mer homologous or complementary or random RNA wherein the long-short RNAs induce sequence specific inhibition of the homologous gene within a cell. The invention disclosed herein can be used to suppress gene expression in vitro, ex vivo, or in vivo.”